THE Ministry of Health has identified a new health crisis that is impacting medical facilities in the Central Division.
Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said the crisis was because of the increase in population in the Nausori-Suva Corridor.
Dr Sharma said the Nausori-Suva corridor now houses 300,000 people and this had created a new medical crisis in health centres.
"Valelevu Health Centre sees over 270 patients each day. Makoi Health Centre averages 230 a day," said Dr Sharma.
He said inter-hospital transfers were being addressed proactively.
"New levels of maximum/minimum are being established in light of increasing demands by the population. Some areas of Vanua Levu (Lekutu) and Lau (Ono-i-Lau) have been left with aged folk while the young are relocating into peri-urban areas."
Dr Sharma said communities must be encouraged to review their lifestyles on what they eat, physical activities and reduce consumption of alcohol, yaqona and tobacco use.
"With daylight saving, more physical activities including backyard gardening and sports should be on the family agenda."
He said with improved pharmaceutical and medical consumable management, the Ministry of Health aimed to address periods of shortages with inter-hospital transfers, additional purchases locally and new suppliers abroad.